Weekly Exclusive Report from Trivandrum Port, Kerala - Issue #04

3rd February 2025 - 9th February 2025

Irina Arrives!

The Adani website currently lists 35 vessels scheduled to arrive at Trivandrum Port within the next 50 days - an unprecedented advance booking. Already, fifteen vessels have arrived in February's first week. MSC aims for 60 vessels monthly, excluding their scheduled Jade service vessels until May 2024. Thirteen vessels in the 23,000-24,000 TEU range are scheduled, with MSC Mia, the first in line, arriving on March 1st. The current schedule shows one vessel every Saturday thereafter. The crown jewel of this fleet is Irina - the world's largest container vessel at 24,368 TEU.

The Jade Service vessels will arrive at Trivandrum Port every Saturday at 18:00, starting with MSC MIA on March 1st, followed by MIRJAM, AMELIA, TESSA, and ALLEGRA through March. April welcomes METTE, GEMMA, APOLLINE, and CELESTINO MARESCA, while May sees OSCAR, FEBE, LENI, and finally IRINA on the 24th.

MSC IRINA, built in 2023, measures 399.9 metres in length with a 61.3-metre beam. This Liberian-flagged vessel operates at 19 knots, with a current draught of 15.4 metres and maximum draught of 18.86 metres. Her 240,000 DWT and 236,184-tonne gross tonnage make her the largest of her kind, marking a significant milestone for Trivandrum Port's capabilities.

Negligible Tidal Variation!

The Trivandrum Port has long been known for its natural depth. Additionally, two other significant features are its minimal littoral drift and negligible tidal variation.

For smooth shipping operations, harbours require a consistent water level throughout the day. A comparison with Kandla Port, another major Indian port, highlights how favourable Trivandrum Port's tidal variation is. Many aren't aware that vessels at Kandla Port must wait for the next high tide to berth. For instance, on 28.1.25, Kandla Port experienced a high tide of 6.47 metres at 01:40, which dropped to 2.00 metres at the subsequent low tide. One must study Kandla Port thoroughly to understand how efficiently a port can operate with such a dramatic five-metre water level fluctuation. While ships at Kandla must wait in outer waters during low tide, Trivandrum Port experiences a mere 40cm average difference between high and low tides. This variation is visible on Trivandrum Port's breakwater, where algae growth marks the highest water level.

Our port stands out as one where navigators need not fret about entry timing. This is just one of many advantages Trivandrum Port offers.

TRV Connect!

Trivandrum Port finally began operations after a 120-year wait. The ancient port of Balitha, mentioned even in the historical nautical text 'Periplus of the Erithrean Sea', was destroyed following royal naval battles - that's Trivandrum Port's heritage!

In modern times, whilst the then-ruler Sri Moolam Thirunal attempted to establish a port in the Travancore capital in 1905, the endeavour proved unsuccessful. This kept us distanced from maritime trade for quite some time. Trivandrum Port must now bridge this gap.

A MotherPort Newsletter reader seeks Walnuts, Raisins, and Almonds. In India, walnuts are primarily grown in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. India's consumption has risen sharply in recent years, with current annual demand around 90,000 tonnes. Of this, 60,000 tonnes are imported, primarily from California, USA. Suppliers of Walnuts, Almonds, and Raisins, whether domestic or international, can contact via WhatsApp +91 98471 24633. This is TRV Connect - an initiative connecting our newsletter readers!

Trivandrum Port Planned Arrivals - 10.Feb.25 to 16.Feb.25

MSC Mundra VIII, Makoto II, Patnaree III, Manasa F, Elsa 3, Roberta V, Eyra II, Ursula VI, Mariacristina, Prelude V

Placements

Adani Port and SEZ Ltd.

Location: Trivandrum
Post: Head HSEF
Educational qualification: BE / B.Tech
Experience: 15­-20 years
Application deadline: 15 Feb 2025

Placement URL: https://www.adani.com/opportunity/#en/sites/CX_1/requisitions